- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Nov 04 2023
It will be Waterford v Cork City for a place in the Premier Division next season after the former won through in Saturday night’s First Division play-off at Turner’s Cross.
Goals from Ronan Coughlan and Giles Phillips proved to be the difference between the Munster rivals in a game that went 120 minutes. The Blues must hope to finally succeed after defeats in this final for the last two years.
It was tough on Cobh after a game that really came to life in the latter stages. A late equaliser in normal time gave them a second chance and they almost took it with several opportunities in extra-time. They were unable to draw themselves level after going behind again though. They will point to a possible penalty shout in normal time.
Waterford began the brighter of the two teams at Turner’s Cross. Barry Baggley was at the heart of most of it. He worked a free kick routine with Roland Idowu that was deflected wide. He then was at the centre of a move which saw a shot by Ronan Coughlan blocked. James O’Leary then had to block a floated ball to the back post with Connor Parsons poised to strike.
Cobh were struggling at this point and Waterford almost made them pay. They failed to clear their lines from a corner that was floated back into the danger area. Romeo Akachukwu got his head to it at the back post, but his header went just over the bar.
Ramblers were sitting deep for most of the game but occasionally showed flashes of danger on the break with the pace of Wilson Waweru and Jack Doherty. Brendan Frahill headed just over at the back post from a Mikie Rowe delivery in what was their best chance of the game.
They did have claims for a penalty turned down by the referee after a flick by Wilson Waweru struck the arm of one of the Cobh defenders. It was turned down which infuriated Shane Keegan to the point that he received a booking.
Keith Long’s men should really have struck for the lead just before the break. Parsons broke down the right and played it into the area. Two forwards were in space, but it was Coughlan who took an extra touch who should have hit it first time. It was then cleared away.
It was the striker who redeemed himself at the start of the second half. It was all credit to Baggley though. He initially won the ball from Waweru in a tackle just outside his own penalty area before spotting the striker in room. A simple ball over the top landed perfectly at his feet and the striker held his nerve to slot it past Stacey for his 36th goal of the season.
Cobh then almost landed an equaliser. The ball came to James O’Leary inside a crowded penalty area. His fierce drive was just tipped over by Sargeant. Jason Abbott then tried his luck, but it lacked the sufficient power.
Confusion reigned for a moment after Baggley received a yellow and then red card after a coming together between Mikie Rowe and the midfielder. It was overturned when David Dunne realised he had not booked him previously.
Doherty almost profited from a long ball over the top from Abbott. Giles Phillips was at hand to shield him away from the ball to allow Sargeant collect the ball.
Coughlan almost got his second after a turn and shot inside the penalty area. Stacey was just about able to get his hand to tip it over.
That proved crucial as Cobh piled on the pressure towards the end. The ball was played into a busy penalty area before it fell to substitute Matthew McKevitt. He produced an overhead kick to draw both sides level and send those in the shed into raptures.
Neither side was able to net a winner in additional normal time, so we went to extra-time. Cobh almost landed the lead immediately, but Waweru volleyed wide at the back post before Doherty’s effort was just wide. Then Waterford came back at them with an excellent move involving Baggley who played it down to the line to Power who played the ball across to Dean McMenamy who saw his shot saved point-blank by Stacey.
The additional period was non-stop, and Cobh almost got in front for the first time. The ball was played into Alec Byrne who aimed to shoot. Sargeant produced an excellent save of his own to deny the substitute.
Waterford then went back in front almost immediately. Shane Griffin floated in a corner from the left and Phillips rose above everyone to head home. Both sides had chances in the second period through Doherty and Coughlan, but neither were able to hit the target.
Delight for the Waterford fans upon the final whistle but despondency for Cobh. Waterford must hope that it is third time lucky when they face Cork City in the relegation/promotion decider next Friday in Tallaght Stadium.
It is another season for Cobh in the First Division next year. They will hope to go one better in a year where they exceeded expectations.
Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Ryan Burke, Derik Osede, Giles Phillips, Darragh Power; Romeo Akachukwu (Niall O'Keeffe 82), Barry Baggley, Rowan McDonald (Dean McMenamy 90); Ronan Coughlan, Roland Idowu (Shane Griffin 73), Connor Parsons (Cameron Cresswell 98).
Subs not used: Paul Martin, Harry Nevin, Killian Cantwell, Samuel Perry, Christie Pattisson.
Booked: Romeo Akachukwu (34), Barry Baggley (66), Rowan McDonald (78), Shane Griffin (101), Darragh Power (111), Cameron Cresswell (119).
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Steacy; Cian Browne, Justin Eguaibor (Matthew McKevitt 76), Breandán Frahill, Charlie Lyons; Jason Abbott (Luke Desmond 80), James O'Leary (Tiernan O'Brien 69), Pierce Phillips (Dale Holland 80); Jack Doherty, Mikie Walsh-Rowe (Alec Byrne 80), Wilson Waweru (Adrien Thibaut 117).
Subs not used: Darragh Burke, Darragh O’Sullivan Connell, Charlie O’Brien.
Booked: Justin Eguaibor (36), Wilson Waweru (44), Shane Keegan (45), Pierce Phillips (58), Mikie Walsh-Rowe (66), Luke Desmond (88), Charlie Lyons (90), Cian Browne (105).
Referee: David Dunne
Attendance: 2,626
extratime.com Player of the Match: Barry Baggley (Waterford)
